I just got an email from Big Lots saying they sell groceries. WHAT??? I’m totally flabergasted. I thought Big Lots was all about last summer’s lawn furniture and tacky reindeer lights because that’s what I saw on the shelf my last visit.
But fresh food? They claim they have brand names at up to a 65 percent discount. What’s the deal? Has anybody bought groceries at Big Lots?
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price. 
I got low fat Triscuit and spicy olives at very good prices a while back.
Yes, Big Lots in IL does sell groceries. Mostly dried/canned, non-perishable items. A lot of these are lower priced than the regular grocery store, but not as low as really good sales. They also had a limited amount of frozen items.
I have bought groceries there, and some have been great deals, but there is no conistency to what they carry. If you see a good buy, buy lots – BIG lots…
They sell mostly items that have been discontinued (so if you like it stock up!) but no fresh produce or dairy. However 99 Cents store now sells decent produce and dairy products, along with some frozen entrees. It’s hit or miss but sometimes you can score a deal. Best things I have bought at Big Lots have been mostly dressings, sauces, gourmet ingredients, instant noodle/pasta dishes and the like. Good place for a pantry run!
Yes, they do sell food items. I was very excited! Until I got to the cash and was told that they do NOT accept coupons – tres disappointing! I agree with comment above, with sales and coupons at the regular haunts – you can usually beat the big lots price.
However, the Dollar General does sell food items and they DO accept coupons!
Does anyone know if Family Dollar accepts coupons? They recently started advertising their brand name food items on store windows.
Thanks!
Like everyone above, taking away coupon usage and their grocery prices aren’t good. If you don’t like to use coupons (GASPP!) then they are a little cheaper than the regular grocery store prices. However, they often have things that I can’t find in my grocery store. It might be something that my store discontinued, or something that wasn’t sold in my area. They recently had those expensive diet foods from I think Jenny Craig for $1. I don’t know if that’s a good price, seemed like it if you just wanted to try it….so it’s got its’ ups and downs. Check exiration dates!
So it sounds like buying groceries at Big Lots is a lot like buying them at the dollar store. You have to carefully inspect produce for mold or bad spots. I’ve seen moldy produce next to perfectly good vegetables!
I always walk the grocery aisles when I’m at Big Lots. Like the rest of what they carry, it may be discontinued or whatever, so it’s always interesting to see what’s there. If I’m not sure, I’ll buy one of something, come home and try it ASAP. If it’s good, I quick go back and buy lots more – when it’s gone, it’s gone.
Sometimes a good place for dry cat food, too.
I like Big Lots because unlike 99c Store, they don’t have to sell everything for 99c. so they can have higher-quality stuff. Some of the 99c Store stuff gets pretty cheesy.
Beware of expiration dates! I got my crackers home and they had been expired for 6 months!